Wednesday, 5 June 2013

Hello all and apologies that it has taken me a little while to get up and running on this blog. I will now get into a routine of providing updates following each Council but also on other matters as they arise.

First to say that like many of you I was very disappointed that it was necessary to cancel the York Cycle Show this year despite the best endeavours of the organising committee. Arthur Spurr has invited me to the extraordinary meeting on the 22nd June which will consider how to move this event forward in future years. If you have any views, suggestions you would like to share with me beforehand or expertise you can lend to the YCS, then please let me know ahead of that date and I will provide an update following the meeting. Jaki.lowe@ctc.org.uk or contact me on my mobile 07873335516

The next matter to update you on is the launch of the Road Justice Campaign which needs your support to make this successful. CTC is launching the Road Justice campaign to make the justice system take bad driving seriously.

Sarah-Charlotte’s Story

Sarah-Charlotte was hit by a car driver on a roundabout on an afternoon in August 2012. She suffered serious leg injuries in the crash. Her career plans have been put on hold as a result and she now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder. She didn’t receive any support from the police and never heard from the officer that attended the crash scene. In court the driver admitted that she had not looked properly before entering the roundabout, yet was only found guilty of careless driving. The driver received a paltry £110 fine and 9 penalty points and was able to drive again the same day.

This is just one of many stories that CTC is hearing about all the time.

Road Justice

CTC’s Road Justice campaign aims to press the police, the prosecution services and the courts to treat bad driving with the severity it warrants. Starting with the police, let’s demand that they investigate road traffic collisions thoroughly and keep victims properly informed so that other people don’t have to go through the same ordeal as S-C.

We cannot hope to improve the justice system without your support. Visit the Road Justice website to hear other cyclists’ stories and to find out how you can get involved with the campaign. this is the link ti the website: http://www.roadjustice.org.uk

FreeCycle and RideLondon

You may be aware of the CTC involvement in Prudential RideLondon, and in particular the massive

FreeCycle event in central London on August 3rd. It’s the biggest ever Olympic legacy event, and should be great fun. We’re delivering a range of activities and providing volunteer help – we need over 400 volunteers in total, and we’re about a third of the way there.

I’d be grateful if you could really push these volunteering opportunities through your networks and activities. We need crossing marshals, route safety marshals, flag marshals, bike maintenance mechanics and helpers for the main hubs in London and Surrey, partly for FreeCycle but also for the 100 on the following day. Transport to volunteer locations will be provided for those who can’t make their own way, and although volunteers will need to bring their own food and drink some costs will be reimbursed. Minibus hire for whole teams of volunteers will be reimbursed, so we’re hoping for people from all over the country.

CTC will receive a small donation for every volunteer we provide, and each one will receive a uniform, equipment and training + health & safety briefing before the event.

Mark Slater has produced an email that can be distributed to individuals or organisations, and he can also provide you with promotional material and more information. There’s an online application form. visit the website for more information.

Thats it from me for now - I am reporting in from my holiday in Lanzarote, interesting the contrast between local roads and driver behaviour here and at home. Excellent cycling to be recommended. Perhaps one final note from me - you all appreciated very much the involvement of John Catt as my predecessor in this role and he brought great experience and knowledge to this role. i don't have his experience or local knowledge and relationships with local member groups so if you have any suggestions of what you would like from me as your councillor then please let me know.